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Auger awe

How can a tube as flimsy as a mosquito’s proboscis be stiff enough to act as a hollow boring tool? What is it made of and what is the typical wall thickness of this amazing auger? Also, what is the minimum capillary diameter through which blood could be sucked?

• There is a common misapprehension that a mosquito’s proboscis is used to pierce skin. The proboscis is no more than a glorified straw, used in males and females to feed on nectar and other plant juices.

A female mosquito needs blood nutrients before she can produce eggs, so her proboscis hides …